Norway People & Culture

People in Norway

Population (2007 estimate): 4,769,100. Ethnic groups are: Norwegian (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), who are closely related to the Danes and Swedes; Sami, a racial-cultural minority in the far north of 40,000; and foreign nationals (415,000) from Nordic and other countries.

if you're shy of equipment or cash, well, first you gotta get to kinrkenes, but i'll show you how. Actually, not a lot i can do for you in the getting to norway part of things: flew on an airtech(.com) ticket, was $500 for the r/t. And it was a you-just-hitched-all-the-way-from-quito-to-here birthday gift from my mommy, who knew i was drooling over the world gathering. Too many references, too lazy to explain.
ok, so, 1) fly to norway. 2) stick out thumb from oslo or wherever [pronounced uuh shluuh.... well, it's closer to that then ozlow ]. 3) head on north to tromso [which also ends with an "uh."]. 4) be sure to eat a tube of meat pate, which will only seem like it should be toothpaste to you, and otherwise have many open-faced sandwhiches, sometimes by knocking on someone's door and saying "Hi, can i have some food?" 5) hop on a passenger fairy, however it is you spell that. They look and feel more like cruiseliners, so you'll fit right in. When they announce that they're departing and that their non-travelling guests should get the fuck off, fail to. Live on stolen sandwhiches and cookies from the little shops, and notice with envy the actual-meal eating habit of the "formal" passengers who "paid." Remark how lucky you are the norwegians are effectively the richest people on earth, and norway has been nicknamed "The 51st State," though that's for political reasons i suppose. Some guy told me it wasn't American troops who actually found Saddam. Anyway they pay little attention to those silly little food and beer consumption infractions, such as forgetting to pay, that american police wish they could remove fingers for. Also they speak perfect english, and if you have the temperment for it as i did at the time, they're generally happy to hand out coins from their pockets, which are usually worth what in america is the price of a small sedan, though in norway will only get you approximately one-half dollup of mayonnaise, which can if absolutly nesessary be filling despite the lack of bread, meat, or well, sandwhich. I like sandwhiches. Sandwhich sandwhich sandwhich. 6) Disembark at port of your leasure, gloating in having been to the northernmost point in continental europe [so they claim], and the kola fjord, which is where they keep/kept those "boomers" you read about in that one clancyish novel: Russian nuclear-powered, ICBM-firing, underwater-hiding, three-football field long and maybe more than half a one wide, thingies. Just wikied that sucker, looks like i understated (whew) --- "Typhoon class submarine,
Displacement:
Surfaced:23,200-24,500 tonnesSubmerged:33,800-48,000 tonnes
Length:
175 metres
Beam:
23 metres
Draught:
12 metres
Propulsionand power:
2× OK-650 pressurized-water nuclear reactors→90 megawatt each2×VV-type steam turbines→37 megawatt each2 shaft, 7 blades shrouded screws
Speed:
Surfaced: 12 knots Submerged: 27 knots
Test depth:
400 metres
Complement:
163
Armament:
1× 9K38 Igla SAM
4×650 mm torpedo tubes → RPK-7 Vodopad AShMs → Type 65K torpedoes 2×533 mm torpedo tubes→ RPK-2 Viyoga cruise missiles→ Type 53 torpedoes [1] D-19 launch system→20× RSM-52 SLBMs " 7) have fun, be good, and be sure to ask your local russian fishermen if they're leaving to sea soon and if they're willing to take them with you.
8)doonerspithms

I was only twice in Sandefjord for business visits, so I didn't see much - well, they say it's a very tiny place also (but charming) Still, I was so lucky to get away for some time to visit the fjords there - that's really amazing! Nature is all in all amazing in Norway I think, it's so different from other parts of Europe, there is so much space! The Norwegians are kind people, I don't think they are any colder than anyone in Europe, communication is no problem at all, they really, all speak English. I had a great time wherever I went there - I even tried the whale steak!

10 things you must do in Oslo. 1. Take the Boat from Copenhagen to Oslo (1 way) get up early for great view of the sailing into the Fjord to Oslo. 2. Visit the Royal Palace. 3. Old City Hall (quite unique and not to everybody's taste...judge yourself) 4. Take a trip to Holmenkolmen (Skii-jump) great view from there. 5. Viking ship museum 6. Kon Tiki museum 7. Vigelandsparken (for a relaxing day) 8. Aker Brygge for your food and expensive but great beer. 9. Karl Johansgate is the Main street with lots and lots of people you can sit and watch. 10. Make sure you get a Norwegian sweater they are truely great and can be used all over the world. Make sure you shop around for them (price). Enjoy Oslo set in the beautiful fjord with amazing mountains surroundings.

Small and quiet village (some 2,500 people) located 20 mins. by ferry from Stavanger, and 25 mins. by car from Preikestolhytta ("Pulpit Rock Cabin"), where the hike to Preikestolen starts. Cafe/ pub by the ferry quay, one hotel (named after local celebrity Erik Blood-axe) and an old park with art exibits in an old barn. Activities every Sunday in the park/ barn during the summer.

This links to an infopage which unfortunately is not available in english at the moment :

http://www.skjerstad.info/

There is some information in this link :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skjerstad

If you bother to klick further you will find out that the biggest wiking boat ever made was built in the district of Salten and that the chief who owned it ... lived in Skjerstad.

Apart from that there is not much attractions, ofcourse the burial heaps in Ljønes from the wiking settlements, the church very nice and we also have a sculpture which is a part of the Artscape Nordland, for more information about what project that is you can follow this link : http://www.skulpturlandskap.no/Skulpturlandskap/artscape/

But what would make you whant to actually come to Skjerstad would be to camp, get to know locals and enjoy its unique location.(http://www.flashearth.com , then write Skjerstad)

Good tip?

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Norway Religion

EvangelicalLutheranChurch is the nation's official church, but other religions have complete freedom of worship. About 88 per cent of the people are Evangelical Lutherans.Others include: Pentecostal Christian; Roman Catholic; Other Christian; and Muslim.

Bokmål Norwegian and Nynorsk Norwegian are official languages.There are small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities.Sami, a language used by the Sami community in the far north, is official in six municipalities.English is widely spoken.

Bokmal is similar in vocabulary and spelling as Danish but the pronunciation is different.It was developed after Norway’s union with Denmark in 1397.It is used in cities and in most Norwegian schools.

Nynorsk was created during the mid-1800´s as a reaction against the Danish influence, and was based on the many dialects that developed in the rural areas during that period.

The two Norwegian language are gradually being combined into a single form called Samnorsk. Bokmal and Nynorsk are both Germanic in origin and are can be understood by someone who speaks either form. In Norway, all children learn both.

The Sami is much like Finnish of Finland, where the Sami ethnic groups also live.

Tonsberg is a town and seat of Vestfold fylke (county), south-eastern Norway, at the head of Tonsbergfjorden. Considered to be the oldest town in Norway, Tonsberg was founded c. AD 871 and became an important trading centre.
In summer cities like Tønsberg is among the most pleasant places to be. The people are easy going and very friendly and cultural life is rich.
After Oslo, Tønsberg have the most livliest summertime day and nightlife in Norway

Skien's history goes back to the 9th century. The town is situated where the vast quantities of water from the Hardangervidda plateau flow into the Skiensfjorden. This was a natural staging post for goods en route for the hinterland, and an equally natural place for inland products to be collected and then shipped out. The timber trade was important to the commerce of the town and Skien was, for a time, Norway's biggest lumber town.

It is also the birthplace of Henrik Ibsen . The Ibsenhuset, the town's biggest cultural centre, busts and memorial columns, street names and signs, together with large Ibsen collections in the town's museums - are all evidence that the local population is aware of this fact. Since the 17th century the town has been regularly reduced to ashes every hundred years. The last time this happened was in 1886 when the whole of the town centre was destroyed.The architectural style of the turn of the century is, therefore, now predominant. The last old buildings are to be found in Snipetorp, a street which lies higher than the town centre, enabling it to escape the fires. Here, for example, is the house that Knud Ibsen moved into when he had to leave Venstøp and where his son Henrik also lived for a short time, before he decided to seek his fortune and left the town - never to return.

One of my favorite European cityes! So much culture, an arhitecture to see. Best museums and restorants! Haven for all of those who like sea food. Beautifle parks, and clean public aries. A little expencive for east europe posibilities, but ok. A lot of hostels in centar of Oslo.
Police on horses, guards exchanging in front of the palace and big discount's while shopping!!!

Oslo as a winter destination has traditionally been associated with ski jumping in Holmenkollen. Less known is the fact that the city also offers inhabitants and visitors over 2600 kilometres prepared cross-country ski trails. Some of them are even lit in the evening. The 1952 Winter Olympic City also gives plenty of opportunities to try your ice-skating or downhill skiing talents, and to feel tremendous excitement tobogganing in "Korketrekkeren", the 2 km run from Frognerseteren.

Combine your winter experiences in Oslo with shopping, dancing, dining and culture! Oslo can offer more than 50 museums worth visiting, and beautiful outdoor attractions such as the Akershus Fortress and Vigeland Sculpture Park. Test the nightlife in Oslo, the excellent restaurants, the nightclubs and the exceptional music scene.

If you happen to visit Tromsø in Summer, head over to the Tromsdalen Kirke (The Arctic Cathedral). They have classical music recital at midnight - it's an exhilaration of senses to be experienced! Your body says that it's midnight and that you should be in bed, however your mind is still very much alert because of the sunlight streaming through the window at the church. On the way back to the city, walk across the bridge and enjoy the view ... It's something to remember!

Great place to be. Lots of visitors each year come with the ships that travel the Norwegian Fjords, but only stop for a few hours. If you get the chance stay for a few days.
Bodø has great natural beauty with many opportunities for those who like exploring surrounding ares.
Bodø is a small town but has an active nightlife, which begin to rock at about midnight until 3. Public is the best for to visit, friendly people and good music.

1st and foremost... go there if you are anywhere near.
A fun cheap day experience in Bergen is to take the funicular railway to the top of Fløyen then hike down the backside back into town. Make sure and bring water and lunch, you can pick up some goodies in the wharf before you head up. Have fun!!

It's much cheaper to eat at the 7-11 and other types of local convenience stores than the restaurants. Eat your big fancy meal at lunch and then get a hotdog or pasta for dinner. Yes, they sell noodles and pasta at convenience stores, as well as bacon wrapped hot dogs!

If you've been here, you have either been to, or are heading to "trollstigen" and Geiranger....easily the most beautiful place on the planet! Bit scary though to be driving along the edge of a fjord and peeking over the side to see a 1000 meter sheer drop. I was hangin' onto the "jesus bars" the whole way up...and down.

If you happen to visit Tromsø in Summer, head over to the Tromsdalen Kirke (The Arctic Cathedral). They have classical music recital at midnight - it's an exhilaration of senses to be experienced! Your body says that it's midnight and that you should be in bed, however your mind is still very much alert because of the sunlight streaming through the window at the church. On the way back to the city, walk across the bridge and enjoy the view ... It's something to remember!